u/Steinthor

I'm wanting to go even further with the genre. The last 3 years I've been delving into the genre more than any other because it's such a gratifying genre. My recent plays are Blasphemous 1+2, Guacamelee 1+2, animal well, Metroid Dread, silksong, and other common staples. While my favorites may seem run-of-the-mill, I am hoping to find a deep cut to add to my top list. I've played all Metroids, all Castlevanias except one of the DS ones (not dawn of sorrow), and Ori's.

I want to hear what your top 3 to 5 of the genre are, mostly to get some new gold to dig up as well as hear the passions behind your favorites.

Here's my example of what I'd love from each of you:

1. Animal Well - incredible theme with unique upgrades and gratifying puzzle solving. Completion doesn't demand finding all secrets but enhances the game experience. Movement feels great, and cheesing solutions is just another way to find usage of the tools at your disposal. Looking stuff up late, late game is required but the design around that is perfect. Ambiance is amazing.

2. Silksong - beautiful variety of movement options, and there's not one right way to play it. Theme is incredible and lore is optional, but amazing. Difficult boss fights and relatively short runbacks make it more fun than frustrating. Multiple endings and non-critical side quests allow for "finish however you prefer", but it's accessible to go for 100%. Combat feels the best of any MV I've played. Music and audio is golden and fits perfectly.

3. Metroid Dread - while slightly on rails, the power gain from upgrades feels like actual upgrades and not just "hit harder" or the like. Movement feels amazing and bosses are challenging. Sequence breaking doesn't ruin the game and there's obvious advanced tech that can pay off when mastered (bomb jumps). What puts this over others in the Metroid series is the genuine helplessness against EMMIs feels nice in keeping the over-powered feeling down

4. Guacamelee - beautiful art style and theme. Movement is smooth enough, especially after upgrades. Story isn't the best, but the objectives are clear. Challenge isn't just in bosses alone and using upgraded combos for movement and dodging is gratifying. Music is bueno and multiplayer is unreal for the genre. I wish I had a friend to do a playthrough with.

Title. I see many people tossing their rewards away on Stake. The games are rigged and you will likely not gain anything. I sincerely suggest cashing out to PayPal or something else where your money is saved or more readily accessible and usable. It's clear FreeCash has a partnership with Stake and they get kickbacks. Don't waste your time and rewards giving FreeCash and Stake your time, attention, and money for nothing.

I know I can't make you all do that, but just know it's just using you to bring profit to them and not worth your time.